Just when I thought the Australian Film Industry couldn’t possibly sink any lower I come across this little nugget of complete audacity and hilarity.
Believe it or not, there is a production company in Australia who is currently advertising for and expecting any budding makeup artists to pay them $2995 in order to work on their Feature Film.
(Sorry, but shouldn’t it be the other way around??)
It is being labelled as a “unique special effects course” and is very clever in its marketing, with tantalising catch phrases like,
“Have you done courses in the past to gain experience and a foot in the film industry door and found that you finish no closer than when you started?”
It outlines that you will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the practical side of developing special effects make up with industry professionals as they create appliances, bodies and creatures.
It all begins with an extensive 4 week pre production period where they will be casting actors, sculpting, creating moulds and casting out in both foam and silicone and painting them up.
Then you have 4 weeks of production when the filming starts.
They state that “You will experience life on set as you watch and learn the prosthetics being applied. You will also assist in the makeup removal process and help dress bodies into set as well as helping to bring the creatures to life.”
So, allow me to break this down for you, this production company wants you to pay them $2995 for a completely unaccredited course, which in this day and age means diddly swat, with the return of having your name in the credits.
They want you to do all of the hard work of creating endless SFX for the film, not only for free, but while actually paying them.
Needless to say that the film may be sold and you have worked for zilch!
The production company makes heaps of money and they have not had to outlay any money in order to have the SFX created and delivered.
In fact, they have made money from you to cover other expenses.
YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!
Of course there will be some dickheads out there that are so desperate to see their little name up in lights that they will gladly pay for this “experience”.
To them I say – YOU DESERVE LOSING MONEY THIS WAY BECAUSE YOU’RE A COMPLETE IDIOT!
To the Production Company I say – YOU’RE DISGUSTING AND SHAME ON YOU FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AND CASHING IN ON BUDDING TALENT!
The purpose of this blog is to provide information and experiences relevant to the Film/TV Makeup Industry. It may include tips and tutorials as well as rants and raves. As an experienced technician in this Industry I hope to impart some knowledge on to fellow Artists and aspiring amateurs and give people a taste of what actually goes on behind the scenes – good and bad.
